Paediatrics - Queensland Health - Queensland Government

Schedule 2 Folic Acid
Gastrointestinal problems
DTP
IHW / IPAP
Authorised Indigenous Health Workers and Isolated Practice Area Paramedic must consult MO / NP
Form Strength
Tablet
500
microgram
5 mg
Route of
administration
Oral
Provide Consumer Medicine Information
Management of associated emergency: consult MO
Recommended
dosage
Child
0.5 mg / kg / dose daily
to a max. of 5 mg daily
Duration
Long term according
to response on MO / NP
order
• Give nutrition advice. Use Growing Strong resources - breastfeeding, iron rich
foods, healthy food and drinks and many more available at:
www.health.qld.gov.au/ph/documents/hpu/growingstrong.asp
• Recommend breastfeed exclusively for first 6 months
• Appropriate iron rich first foods at around 6 months
-- -foods rich in iron and or folate:
○ red meat, beef / lamb liver or kidneys, bush meat
○ chicken, fish
○ egg yolks
○ iron fortified baby cereal
○ green vegetables
○ fruit and vegetables (to help iron absorption)
○ breast milk or infant formula (NOT normal cow or goat milk unless over
1 year of age)
○ No turtle or dugong liver or kidneys or intestines - as concern about
cadmium content
○ No cows milk or Sunshine® milk before 1 year old
○ No tea or coffee
○ No soft drink, juice or cordial
5. Follow up
Place child on individualised care plan, setting out actions, targets and who is
responsible to closely provide ongoing support and monitoring
6. Referral / consultation
Consult MO or see next MO clinic as above
Refer to Dietitian for diet history, feeding history and nutrition advice
Refer to Child Health Nurse / Child Health - Health Worker
Repeat FBC after 1 month of iron and / or folate to confirm response to treatment
If a response is demonstrated with iron and / or folate supplements, continue for
several months
Check haemoglobin monthly until it is >110 g/L
Primary Clinical Care Manual 2011 Controlled copy V 1.0 625
[10]